ST. CECILIA CHOIR.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18399, 4 June 1925, Page 3

ST. CECILIA CHOIR.

There is no reason why the St. Cecilia Choir should not rank among the most prosperous of our musical societies. Thanks to uu able and indefatigable conductor, the choir, composed of good and well-balanced ladies' voices, places before its,patrons programmes of distinction and agreeable variety brought to a point of artistically inspired execution. Last night 's concert, indeed, emphasised bioTe than ever the meritorious activity of the choir. Since their last appearance Mr Williamson had also organised ami taken in training: a junior . class, who already took part, adding new interest. But last night's programme of part, songs suffered to some extent from want of discrimination in the choice. They held themselves bound to produce all tlie numbers' of a generous donation: but the donor hardly intended to dictate to the choir the complete adoption for a whole concert. There were included, however, some most interesting novelties by distinguished modern English song-writers, some part-songs by Gustav Hoist, very daintily set, but too highpitched for all the voices in both, also Percy Fletcher's part-'song. The strain imposed became evident at once when "•Sweet and Low" was repeated, flattening the voices. They sang particularly finely, "Come Away. Death," by Brahms, Edward German's "0, Lovely May," and Parry's "Jerusalem," a very striking work. But in all their contributions the choir showed the good training and the influences of tasteful guidance, and even the juvenile section shaped wdll for so short a period of tuition. Mr Harold Freseolt. had chosen some of his most effective solos, "Your Tiny Hand is Frozen" and "Ah, Moon of My Delight," supplemented by the 'encores "Lolita," "Awake, Awake," and sang all with the fervour of expression which none but tenors can achieve. Miss Mabel Eaglesome, with tasteful obbligato played by' Miss Edna Harper, pang vo.vy well the more lengthy than interesting "Summer Night," by Goring Thomas, besides ably taking the solo part in Hoist's part-song, "The Crimson Petal." ' A pretty and promising voice waiting further development is Miss Ella Thurlow's, succeeding best with Drummond's "Sing Awhile"; and Mr L. A. ; Kcys introduced himself favourably in Piusuti's "Last Watch" and "Vale" as encore." He also is yet in the progressive stage. For her piano solo Miss Katherine Lund had chosen the Toccata and Fugue by Bach-Tftnsig, entering . well into the spirit, of the great work, and competent for its execution, which, however, required' a much 'more■> powerful piano. The encore she played was a transcription of the "Star of Eve." As'accompanist of the choir,'she rendered reliable service. The large audience was ver.t encouraging, and encores fell thick and fast, some quite unnecessarily. 1 Onco they break out, they grow to dimensions of an epidemic.